Vertically moving rack

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing a vertically moving in closed loop storage for enabling a user safe, efficient and practical access to load and unload the products located on foldable carriers. The system enables the user full control over the height between the carriers, exact carriers stop location at an operator&#39;s comfortable access, locking and speed control systems while emphasizing safety and usability saving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to improvements indevices for enabling a user a vertical storage and retrieval andcontrolling such systems to facilitate conveying vertically movablearticle storage carriers, carrying the same product, to an exactlocation at an operator's comfortable access while emphasizing safetyand usability.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The systems and the methods of the present invention areparticularly useful for enabling efficient and effective verticalstorage, of the same products, and for providing practical and floorspace saving vertically conveying storage for increased usability.

[0005] A variety of systems and methods have been developed over theyears for providing alternatives to a conventional storage structurewhich typically includes vertically driven closed loop chain conveyor towhich a plurality of material or article carriers are pivotallyconnected while the conveyor is driven to establish any of the carriersat a location or locations where articles can be inserted or withdrawnfrom the carriers. Such alternative devices are known generally asVertically Moving Rack.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a vertically moving rack whichwill be more economical, efficient and will have increased usability,which can be readily assembled and disassembled with modular sectionsfor enhanced expandability.

[0007] The system and the methods of the present invention areparticularly useful for enabling safe, efficient and effective conveyingvertically movable storage where the floor space in demand, whileproviding a practical and comfortable access to vertically stored items.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides improved systems andmethods for providing an efficient and effective vertically movablerack. The inventions disclosed herein satisfy these and other needs,still further objects and advantages of these inventions will becomeapparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides anew and improved system and method for providing the user safe,practical and very comfortable access to a storage carriers, carryingthe same product. The present invention can also be configured tofacilitate an economical and efficient system. In certain aspects, thepresent invention can provide increased expandability, by taking fulladvantage of the height of the storage place.

[0010] More particularly, for example, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, a vertically moving rack system is provided for enabling auser safe and comfortable access to the storage carriers controlling theexact location of individual carrier for increased usability. In oneembodiment, the system includes manual locking control. Further, thesystem includes manual sliding adjustability control that based on theweight that placed on top of the carriers, pivotally rotating pluralityof wheels, responsibly for holding and properly stretching rubber belt,which provide base for carriers that locked in their horizontal positioncaused by the weight that placed on them, these carriers can be foldedup with help of the built-in spring, when they become empty, for betterrotational move of the system. The system provides the exact andcontrollable location to stop the carriers providing safe andcomfortable access to stored products.

[0011] The above objects and advantages of the present invention, aswell as others, are described in greater details in the followingdescription, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing ofillustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side view of preferred embodiment of a VerticallyMoving Rack.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective exploded view of the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side sectional exploded view of the preferredembodiment.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side sectional exploded view of the top wheel withsliding adjustability control.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of thecurrent invention, providing shelves as carriers for the given product.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a front view of the third embodiment, used for clothinghangers, can be manually locked at any position providing comfortableaccess to the hangers.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a top sectional view of the locking method used in thethird embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a side view of the third embodiment, clearly displayingthe handle for locking/unlocking method, with hangers shown in dashedlines.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the locking method used in thethird embodiment, clearly presenting the discs that lock or release thewire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The present invention is directed to an improved system andmethod for providing a user safe and efficient conveying verticallymovable storage and enabling the user to move storage carriers to anexact location at an operator's comfortable access while emphasizingsafety and usability. The invention provides a Vertically Moving Rack,which takes full advantage of the height of the storage building and bythat saving the flooring space. The system doesn't require anymechanical or electrical power. The system is easily installed andcustomized to support carriers for merchandises of different sizes andshapes. The preferred and other embodiments of the improved system andmethod are fully and detailed illustrated and described in the followingparagraphs.

[0022] In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the drawing figures, and particularly inthe preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention as shown inFIGS, 1-4, for example, a system 20 is provided for safe and efficientconveying vertically movable storage and enabling the user to movestorage carriers to an exact location at an operator's comfortableaccess while emphasizing safety and usability, constituting a VerticallyMoving Rack.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, in a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention, for example, the system 20comprises two pivotally rotating wheels 100 and 101, located at the endsof the preferred embodiment. Rubber belt 104 or the like placed aroundthese wheels 100 and 101 creating closed loop. Rubber belt 104 or thelike has built-in peg loops 102, pegs 106 and peg pin 112, best shown inFIG. 2. Every peg 106, installed into the rubber belt 104, has abuilt-in spring 114, best shown in FIG. 3, to provide pivot tendency tolift itself up when it doesn't carry any weight, the end of the peg 106is spiraled in to provide better sliding ability, through proper opening111 in the belt 104, against vertical support board 108, when the peg106 is installed and the rubber belt 104 if moving vertically down.

[0024] The system 20 further includes “L” shaped bracket 116, located bythe bottom peg 106, best shown in FIG. 3, stops the carrier to be thefirst used by the customer. Top wheel 100 include a manual adjuster 120,best shown in FIG. 4, that controls the pressure on the friction plate118 which in turn applies pressure on the top wheel 100 and by thatcontrols the rotational speed of it which controls the speed of thewhole system. Top wheel 100 further includes gearing wheel mold and die122 and 124, shown in FIG. 4, which locked into the proper place to thewheel next to it to transfer the rotational movement to it, if required.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a second embodiment in accordancewith the present invention, the system comprises two attached to eachother rubber belts 210 placed on the cylindrical axis 208 to providefreedom of rotational movement. Rubber belts 210 provide a base forshelves 200 securely attached, by plurality of conventional means 212,to supporting pegs 204 that are easily installed, as shown in FIG. 2,into the rubber belts 210. This embodiment further includes stabilityand support plate 202 placed on the floor by plurality of conventionalmeans 206. Conventional systems 22 keep this embodiment attached to thewall.

[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, in a third embodiment in accordancewith the present invention, the system comprises top wheel 326 providinga lead to the wire 324 or the like that cylindrical tube 309, whichserve as a base for the whole system, moves on. Top wheel 326 attachedto the ceiling, or to the wall, by conventional wheel holder 328,providing rotational freedom to the top wheel 326, which in turnattached to the movable plate 304 that constantly pooled up byconventional spring 302 which is connected to the base 300. The wire 324attached by its edges to the top and the bottom of the cylindrical tube309 by conventional means 306 and 310. The wire 324 is providing amovement to the cylindrical tube 309, which includes built-in hangerpins 308, when the wire 324 slides up or down. The tube 309 can belocked at any user controllable location by system 24, better shown inFIGS. 7 and 9.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the wire 324 at the bottom ofthe system is rotating around conventional bottom wheel 322 and itsholder 318 which is attached to the floor and its holding and supporting“L” shaped plate 314 that provides leading holes to manually rotatingscrews 316 or the like and their springs 313 which purpose is to pushvertical plate 312 towards octagon shaped wheel 320, which attached toand rotating with the bottom wheel 322, to control cylinder tube 309sliding speed when its manually pooled down.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, at their sectional top and sideviews, the locking system 24 includes two horizontal “Partial Moon”shaped discs 400 and 408 while the wire 324 or the like is freelylocated at their opening side. The system 24 further includes horizontalround disc 402, located between two “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and408, which has a hole 409, located towards the edge of the round disc402, that the wire 324 go through. The locking system 24 furtherincludes vertical manual trigger 404, pivotally attached to the top ofthe cylindrical tube 309 on its top end and to the spring base bracket407, which pushes the round disc 402 inwards when the trigger 404 ishold, on its bottom end. Vertical trigger 404 pushed back, when it isrelease, by the built-in trigger spring 406.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in a method for the use of a preferredembodiment in accordance with the present invention, for example, thesystem 20 enables a user to slide down storage carrier pegs 106 tocustom predefined location by placing “L” shaped bracket 116 at thecustom and comfortable height. Pegs 106 that can be installed atdifferent heights from each other using peg pins 112 and built-in pegloops 102, pushed to their horizontal position by the weight of thehanged product, vertical support board 108 keep loaded pegs 106 in theirhorizontal position. Pegs 106 pivotally pushed upward by built-in spring114, when the peg become empty and by that it can bypass the “L” shapedbracket 116, this is when the user manually slide the system down untilthe next fully loaded peg 106 will be stopped by the “L” shaped bracket116 providing easy and comfortable access to the stored product.

[0030] The structure of the support board 108, below “L” bracket 116,keeps empty pegs 106 in folded position. Every peg 106 carries the sameproduct so there is no reason to pool the system down before the lowerpeg is empty. The speed and ease of pool are controlled by the steadyfriction plate 118 that pressed against rotating top wheel 100, byrotating manual adjuster 120, and by that controlling rotational freedomof the top wheel 100 and the whole system. Top wheel 100 include gearingwheel 122 that transfers the movement, through the corresponding gearingdie wheel 124, and synchronizes the speed of the wheel next to it ofanother similar system, best usage for that is shown in FIG. 4. The endof each peg 106 is spiraled in to provide better sliding ability,through proper opening 111 in the belt 104, against vertical supportboard 108 and easy release from the “L” shaped bracket 116 when the peg106 is folded up. The system has conventional means preventing from itrotating upwards.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, in a method for the use of a secondembodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system providesshelve storage 200, for larger or heavier products, by attaching twosimilar rubber belts 210, working and performing conceptually the sametask as the system described in FIGS. 1-4, together. Shelves 200 aresecured by conventional means 212 and supporting pegs 204 from thebottom. The system is operating in closed loop while providingcomfortable access from the front, at the controllable height, while theshelves 200 in their horizontal position. These shelves 200 are foldedup to their vertical position when they at the back of the verticallyrotating system. Conventional systems 22 keep this embodiment stablewhile it's attached to the wall. The system has conventional meanspreventing from it rotating upwards.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in a method for the use of a thirdembodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system providesthe ability for efficient vertical clothing storage by including acylindrical tube 309 moving vertically up and down operated manually bythe user which include built-in hanger pins 308 comfortably accessibleby the user for clothing storage.

[0033] The tube 309 internally guided by a through wire 324 or the likeconnected by its edges to the top and the bottom of the cylindrical tube309 by conventional means 306 and 310. The wire 324 is looping aroundthe top wheel 326 connected by conventional means to the ceiling, or tothe wall, constantly pools the wire up using built-in spring 302,keeping the wire 324 properly tense.

[0034] The bottom leading wheel 322 connected by conventional means 318to the floor which holds “L” shaped plate 314 that provides leadingholes to manually rotating screws 316 or the like and their springs 313which purpose is to push vertical plate 312 towards octagon shaped wheel320, which attached to and rotating with the bottom wheel 322, tocontrol cylinder tube 309 sliding speed, when the system is manuallypooled down, that is determined by the weigh and the load of the system.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, in a method for the use of a lockingsystem 24, that provides manual lock and unlock of the verticallysliding system by manually squeezing vertical trigger 404 towardscylindrical tube 309. The wire 324, freely placed on the upper and lower“Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408 and goes through the hole 409located close to the edge of the middle round disc 402, get locked whenthe middle round disc 402 is pushing the wire 324 against upper andlower “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408 creating extreme “S” shapeout of it, best shown in FIG. 9. The wire 324 get released when verticaltrigger 404 moved towards the cylindrical tube 309, by that pushinground disc 402 that brings the hole 409 to the center, so wire 324 cantravel freely and now the user can easily adjust the height of thesystem. Built-in trigger spring 406 attached to the trigger 404 in oneend and the spring base bracket 407, which steadily attached to theinner side of cylindrical tube 309, on the other end is responsible toplace the trigger 404 to its native position, by pushing the trigger 404against the spring base bracket 407.

[0036] In accordance with the present invention, the particularembodiments set forth above for the system 20 are capable of providing avertically moving rack for enabling a user safe, efficient, andpractically movable vertical storage carriers manually controlling theexact location of individual carrier for increased usability, as well asgreat deal of floor space saving while taking full advantage of thestorage building height. However, other forms of the system 20 may beutilized with the present invention without departing from the spiritand the scope of the invention. Based on the present disclosure, otherconstructions and applications are known to one skilled in the art.

[0037] In view of the above, it is apparent that the system and methodof the preferred embodiments of the present invention enhancesubstantially the practicality and effectiveness of enabling a usereconomical and efficient movable in a closed loop vertical storage. Thesystem and the method further enable simple and convenient storagecarrier height adjustability, system lock and rotational speed control.

[0038] While the present invention has been described in connection withthe specific embodiments identified herein, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above description. Accordingly, theinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the inventiondisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved device, providing a user verticallydriven closed loop storage, enabling the user efficient load and unloadof the products while providing full control over the height between thecarriers, exact carriers stop location at an operator's comfortableaccess, and speed control systems while emphasizing safety and usabilitysaving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of thestorage building, said device comprising: (a) a rubber belt used as avertically rotating closed loop providing the base of said device; (b) apair of wheels located at the top and bottom of said device, providingthe lead and the guide of said rubber belt; (c) means for manual controlover rotational speed of said device; (d) plurality of article storagecarriers to be attached to said device; (e) means for easy and customassembly of said carriers to said rubber belt of said device; (f) meansfor exact said carriers stop location of said device; (g) means fortransferring rotational movement from said device to the one next to it;(h) means for preventing from said device to be rotated in oppositedirection;
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for manualcontrol over rotational speed comprises a friction plate, secured to thetop wheel, adapted to frictionally engage rotating top wheel, increasingthe pressure on it, upon user rotation of the manual adjuster in onedirection, and to separate it the top wheel upon user rotation of theadjuster in the other direction.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein saidmanual adjuster is a conventional screw like attached to said frictionplate, so by manually rotating it said friction plate will move towardssaid top wheel.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofarticle storage carriers are conventional, easily installable, pegs forthe hangable products.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means foreasy and custom assembly comprises a plurality of built-in, into saidrubber belt, peg loops to provide easy assembly of said pegs to the saiddevice.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said easy assembly of saidpegs is done by assembling said pegs to said built-in peg loop byconventional peg pins.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means forexact said carriers stop location of said device comprises of “L” shapedbracket, built-in into vertical support board.
 8. The device of claim 4,wherein said pegs have a built-in spring to fold said peg up when it isbecome empty, by pivotally pushing said peg up against said rubber belt.9. The device of claim 4, wherein said pegs have a spiral ends providingability to slide over said “L” shaped bracket when said peg is folded upby said built-in spring when said peg becomes empty.
 10. The device ofclaim 7, wherein said vertical support board is a conventional boardthat serves as a support for the said pegs spiral ends to keep said pegsin their horizontal position, and to keep empty said pegs in theirfolded position as soon as they pass said “L” shaped bracket.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring rotationalmovement from said device to the one next to comprises of mold-shapedgearing wheel.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said means fortransferring rotational movement further comprises of die-shaped gearingwheel located on the similar said system next to the present one,providing a shelter to said mold-shaped gearing wheel of said currentsystem.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for preventingfrom said device to be rotated in opposite direction is a conventionalmeans that allow the customer only to slide down said device.
 14. Animproved device, providing a user vertically driven closed loop shelvingstorage, enabling the user efficient load and unload of the productswhile providing full control over the height between the shelves, exactshelves stop, and rotational speed control systems while saving floorspace and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building,said device comprising: (a) plurality of rubber belts used as avertically rotating closed loop providing the base of said device; (b)plurality of wheels located at the top and bottom of said device,providing the lead and the guide of said rubber belts; (c) means formanual control over rotational speed of said device; (d) plurality ofshelves to attached to said device; (e) means for easy and customassembly of said shelves to said rubber belts of said device; (f) meansfor exact said shelves stop location of said device; (g) means fortransferring rotational movement between said rubber belts of saiddevice; (h) means for preventing from said device to be rotated inopposite direction;
 15. An improved device, providing a user verticallydriven clothing storage, attached to the ceiling, or to the wall, andthe floor, enabling the user efficient load and unload of the clothingwhile providing full control over the height between the carriers,custom carriers stop location at an operator's comfortable access, speedcontrol and locking systems while emphasizing safety and usabilitysaving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of thestorage building, said device comprising: (a) a cylindrical tube usedfor vertical sliding providing the base of said device; (b) plurality ofstorage carriers built-in into said cylindrical tube of said device; (c)wire that goes trough said cylindrical tube providing the guide and thelead of said device; (d) means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tubeat any custom location providing comfortable access to the clothingstored on said device; (e) means to hold, to guide and to stretch saidwire from the top of said device; (f) means to hold and to guide saidwire from the bottom of said device; (g) means for manual control overrotational speed of said device;
 16. The device of claim 15, whereinsaid means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube comprises partiallytubular, or the like, member providing a vertical manual trigger, servesas a trigger of said lock system, when manually pooled towards saidcylindrical tube, while the top of it is pivotally connected to the topof said cylindrical tube.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein said meansto lock and unlock said cylindrical tube further comprises “PartialMoon” shaped, horizontally placed, discs attached to the inner side ofsaid cylindrical tube, providing a guide for said wire.
 18. The deviceof claim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tubefurther comprises horizontally movable round disc, located between said“Partial Moon” shaped discs in a sandwich manner, with the built-in holethat said wire go through, when said trigger is released round discmoves aside and by that stretching said wire forming a “S” shape whichprevents said cylindrical tube from moving vertically.
 19. The device ofclaim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tubefurther comprises a trigger spring, located between the movable end ofsaid trigger and the spring base bracket, steadily attached to the innerside of said cylindrical tube, responsible to place said trigger to itsnative position, by pushing said trigger against spring base bracket.20. The device of claim 15, wherein means to hold, to guide and tostretch said wire of said device is a conventional method of stretchingsaid wire while providing repeatable movements of said tubular member.